Are we Rude & Inconsiderate People??

[HEM19X]

Hi, I am just reflecting on an incident we had with some fellow campers at Archer River a couple of nights ago.

Having a cruisy day travelling from Bramwell we arrived a Archer for lunch & decided to stay the night. With no one else set up we picked a spot in the middle, close to a tap, table & plenty of sun for the solar panels. All good so far however the next lot of campers [2 vehicles- 1 CT] decided that they wanted to set up between us & the table - less than 4 m away from us. No other camps in the 4 or more acres available to them, but they wanted a table [at least one other available] & a fireplace! Anyway, SWMBO went off at them & I also encouraged them to move away... nothing abusive just "don't camp so close". They moved away but it was obvious that they were not happy.

Some time later, another vehicle set up approx. 8m away but directly downwind from a fire that I had "set' but was not yet alight. Later as they we walking past I politely let them know that I would be lighting the fire later on but I would try & keep the smoke to a minimum, even suggested that they might want to join us. At this point they launched into us, accusing us of being inconsiderate & rude by not letting them camp where they wanted to [been speaking to our earlier friends apparently] and then lighting a fire to smoke them out!!! What the...

Anyway, after several verbal exchanges, and threatening to douse it with water [explained that this would only throw ash & crap all over their tent] they went to complain to management only to sulk back & go to bed at 7 pm. Long story short, my fire was put out before 8 pm but smoke from at least 3 other fires must have sent them batty for the rest of the night.

So 2 questions:-

1. Were we rude to request that people do not camp so close when the rest of the area was available?
2. Were we inconsiderate by lighting a fire [even when there were 3 others also blowing smoke in their direction?

[McGirr]

1. Were we rude to request that people do not camp so close when the rest of the area was available?

I would have done the same. with plenty of space why camp on top of each other. You mentioned they wanted the table well they could have picked it up and moved it to where they camped.

2. Were we inconsiderate by lighting a fire [even when there were 3 others also blowing smoke in their direction?

Again no, you cannot control the wind and why camp so close to you. Gee what sad sacks and they are on holiday.

Mark

[StrvnMrvn]

Hi, I am just reflecting on an incident we had with some fellow campers at Archer River a couple of nights ago.

Having a cruisy day travelling from Bramwell we arrived a Archer for lunch & decided to stay the night. With no one else set up we picked a spot in the middle, close to a tap, table & plenty of sun for the solar panels. All good so far however the next lot of campers [2 vehicles- 1 CT] decided that they wanted to set up between us & the table - less than 4 m away from us. No other camps in the 4 or more acres available to them, but they wanted a table [at least one other available] & a fireplace! Anyway, SWMBO went off at them & I also encouraged them to move away... nothing abusive just "don't camp so close". They moved away but it was obvious that they were not happy.

Some time later, another vehicle set up approx. 8m away but directly downwind from a fire that I had "set' but was not yet alight. Later as they we walking past I politely let them know that I would be lighting the fire later on but I would try & keep the smoke to a minimum, even suggested that they might want to join us. At this point they launched into us, accusing us of being inconsiderate & rude by not letting them camp where they wanted to [been speaking to our earlier friends apparently] and then lighting a fire to smoke them out!!! What the...

Anyway, after several verbal exchanges, and threatening to douse it with water [explained that this would only throw ash & crap all over their tent] they went to complain to management only to sulk back & go to bed at 7 pm. Long story short, my fire was put out before 8 pm but smoke from at least 3 other fires must have sent them batty for the rest of the night.

So 2 questions:-

1. Were we rude to request that people do not camp so close when the rest of the area was available?

Nope. I like a bit of space between me and other campers, so I would have probably done the exact same thing, considering there were other areas available!

2. Were we inconsiderate by lighting a fire [even when there were 3 others also blowing smoke in their direction?

Again, No! You let them know what you were about to do and even invited them to come and join you. I guess you can only be so inviting before others get the S@#$s!

 

Strvy

[Bird]

Later as they we walking past I politely let them know that I would be lighting the fire later on but I would try & keep the smoke to a minimum, even suggested that they might want to join us. At this point they launched into us, accusing us of being inconsiderate & rude by not letting them camp where they wanted to [been speaking to our earlier friends apparently] and then lighting a fire to smoke them out!!! What the...

you were polite, you have every right to have a fire, you have every right to be naked.

At that stage, I would have stripped bare, rubbed up a fat, and collected 500 kgs of leaf matter and piled it on the fire..

[GeeTee]

Maybe the tone for dialogue was set when SWMBO 'went off at them'... by which I interpret she was maybe a little 'emotional' in her request!

But yes it is a little - in fact a lot!! unreasonable when someone wants to camp right next to you in a large area... but campfire smoke is part 'n parcel of camping!

These days, with the ease with which people can travel to remote locations (cheap campers, reliable vehicles etc)  more and more beginners are travelling and often they may not know, understand or respect the 'protocols' or 'tradition' (IYKWIM) that many of us place on respectful and harmonious camping     

[gadgetman]

Wonder if they are on MySwag

[MDSimpson]

you were polite, you have every right to have a fire, you have every right to be naked.

At that stage, I would have stripped bare, rubbed up a fat, and collected 500 kgs of leaf matter and piled it on the fire..

Oh Lost, never fail to make me smile....

You guys did the right thing, you TOLD them or COMMUNICATED with them on what your thoughts were and what you could see as an issue, I see no problem with that at all..

They must be glass half empty kind of people..

[alnjan]

It should be a case of you asking or suggesting someone move a bit further away from your camp as much as those arriving after you should be talking to you if they intend to camp near you.   

[MDSimpson]

GeeTee, are these protocols and traditions inclusive of things like, 'Don't walk through the middle of someone else's campsite'?

Maybe they did't get that memo....

[GraemeL]

It's society today, no one gives a rats about anyone or anything. As long as they are allowed to do what ever the hell they like that's all that matters to these idiots.

I don't understand why these types have a need to camp on your bloody lap, are they scared of the dark of something

[Bird]

Maybe the tone for dialogue was set when SWMBO 'went off at them'... by which I interpret she was maybe a little 'emotional' in her request!

I read it as she went off at the first group, not the second

[achjimmy]

As GeeTee said the tone and approach can have a lot to do with it. But i always find these situations awkward regardless of how nice and calm people can be. As for smoke, well any side of the fire I stand on the smoke blows that way simple.

[edz]

At least he didnt have 15 troopies loaded with 150 drugged out drunken back packer zombies, building bonfires and playing cow boys and indians through his camp and using the area in front  as a toilet , from late till daylight, camped  less than 20m away ..
I would say you were quite ok in what you said and did ..

[noel_w]

Maybe they are caravan park type of people and are used to "camping" on top of each other.
Remind me Hem if I come camping with you to park myself right up against your CT 


I reckon you had every right (imho) to tell them to bugger off away from you. I like to have some space around me, thats part of going camping. To get away from the rat race, not bring it along with you or have it imposed upon you.

[DaveR]

Long ago, before CT, we were at a nice place, other half with 3 kids went for a long walk to explore, leaving me to set up the tent in a nice spot.
I chose a small distance from the fire place, put the camp chairs around it to "CLAIM" the fire place, leaving about a dozen other unoccupied spots available all with fire places.
Then some older folk show up with a Motor Home, stopped 2m from my fire, lowered the hydraulic jacks, shut down engine, started the genny, all with out opening a door.
So I started up my stereo, put on some old school progressive trance techno, Planet Goa, which sounds like this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ogi7oBc0OTg

Turn the volume up to speaker destroying levels, took of my shirt and set about setting up camp at a brisk pace and dancing techno style to.
I looked up, and they weren't there, Oh, such a shame.
I turned it all off, went back to the blissful quiet, and then later she gets back saying sounds like someone is setting up for a party nearby, to which I say, I don't think it will be a problem now...

[gadgetman]

That is classic!
 

Long ago, before CT, we were at a nice place, other half with 3 kids went for a long walk to explore, leaving me to set up the tent in a nice spot.
I chose a small distance from the fire place, put the camp chairs around it to "CLAIM" the fire place, leaving about a dozen other unoccupied spots available all with fire places.
Then some older folk show up with a Motor Home, stopped 2m from my fire, lowered the hydraulic jacks, shut down engine, started the genny, all with out opening a door.
So I started up my stereo, put on some old school progressive trance techno, Planet Goa, which sounds like this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ogi7oBc0OTg

Turn the volume up to speaker destroying levels, took of my shirt and set about setting up camp at a brisk pace and dancing techno style to.
I looked up, and they weren't there, Oh, such a shame.
I turned it all off, went back to the blissful quiet, and then later she gets back saying sounds like someone is setting up for a party nearby, to which I say, I don't think it will be a problem now...

[McGirr]

People can camp as close as they want to us as my partner and I snore very loud , I know she does 

Mark

[Barrabart]

G'day Hem19x,

Nah mate you weren't rude or inconsiderate............ You were however the victims of the modern day f*cktard!!

Put it all behind you, and keep on enjoying your trip, knowing that the f*cktards are not in anyway, shape or form enjoying life as much as you.

Regards,

Barrabart.

[Frostd]

Hem, I believe you guys did the right thing.  Alot of us know how big that camp site is and you dont need to camp on top of each other.  There is plenty of room.  These people obviously wanted the tap/table and didnt want to walk to far from it.  The offer was made to come up to the camp fire, but they decided to not to accept, which I would say 99.9% of us, would have taken you up on the offer for a chat and a fire to sit around.

[GUEY]

Can't believe that you think being the first there gives you the right to the best spot. Just jokes, you did the right thing.
Kind of like when you go to a shopping center and park well away from everyone else. Come back and there is a car on either side of you with empty carparks everywhere. I guess they don't notice the missing paint on the closing edges of my doors.

[gronk]

Hem, I can't believe you were so inconsiderate.........I feel for those poor people having to put up with your bad behaviour !!      

I attended a My Swag meet only 2 weeks ago and a bloke ( with a small kid ) proceeded to set up very close to me ( which was to grow much bigger when everyone else arrived ), so I mentioned that we were going to have a fire and it might get a touch noisy with a group of geriatrics drinking and talking around the fire at all times of the night ( all right, we were going to try our best to make midnight !! )..
I also invited him to join us around the fire ( they can't complain if they're drinking with you ) if he decided to not move, and he said he OK with it, so all good !!

I find the city slickers who haven't been camping much ( if at all ) are the ones that need a bit of an education in camping etiquette.....unfortunately , that education may require a bit of 4x2 across the back of the skull !!!   

[Barrabart]

Can't believe that you think being the first there gives you the right to the best spot. Just jokes, you did the right thing.
Kind of like when you go to a shopping center and park well away from everyone else. Come back and there is a car on either side of you with empty carparks everywhere. I guess they don't notice the missing paint on the closing edges of my doors.

Or when you're fishing up a creek in the tinny, no other bugger around for miles, and some clown motors up and pretty much drops his anchor over your lines? Some people really need a good slap in the ear!!

[dazzler]

Anyway, SWMBO went off at them & I also encouraged them to move away... nothing abusive just "don't camp so close". They moved away but it was obvious that they were not happy.

Probably all in the delivery I think.

[HEM19X]

you were polite, you have every right to have a fire, you have every right to be naked.

At that stage, I would have stripped bare, rubbed up a fat, and collected 500 kgs of leaf matter and piled it on the fire..

Now there's a mental image I need to get rid of before I go to sleep tonight!!!

[Hairs]

Wonder if they are on MySwag

I would hate to think that a Swagger would behave like that.

I'm sorry to hear that Kate & you had to deal with something like this.
Hope your travels are much happier.

 
Hairs